My first classroom in Thailand had a blackboard and three pieces of chalk, that was about it. 

My current classroom has an interactive whiteboard, a computer and speakers. My situation today does sound better but I’ve become a little addicted to technology in my classroom and I want to try change that. 

Like at home

I’ve been reprimanded in the past for looking at my phone too much and spending too long on the computer at home. I love technology and will admit to being addicted to some of it in the past. The problem is I’m using technology too much in the classroom and there’s nobody there to stop me. 

Technology is useful in many aspect of our lives. I can’t imagine life without the internet. Computers make it possible to put our thoughts down quickly and clearly. Mobile phones allow us to communicate instantly with people from around the world. However, they also stop us from seeing what’s happening around us with our own eyes. I also feel that I could offer more to my students than just what technology can provide. 

Classroom technology

The interactive whiteboard in my classroom is stunning. It lets me write over any document, give presentations, browse the internet and use computer files whilst showing all the students on a massive 2x2 meter screen. 

This board is the centerpiece of the room. It draws your eyes just as a TV in a living room does. The problem is that it becomes the go-to object of the room. I’ve got a lovely standard whiteboard in the classroom which gets used occasionally. It must feel abandoned, outdated and not needed.  

A number of teachers are starting to encourage students to use their own technology in class such as phones for researching points or email to submit homework. I imagine in the future the trend of using technology in the classroom will only increase.

Materials And course development

Part of the reason technology is so important is that, at our school, materials have been developed to make use of the interactive whiteboards. Lessons have been developed based on what these machines can do and how they can enhance the student experience. 

My previous school even changed their course from using paper in class to teaching via tablets. It meant that tasks which could be simply done on a whiteboard or on paper were done on a tablet screen, seemingly just for the sake of it. Students were encouraged to bring their phones or tablets to class and connect via a sharing app to get my notes and feedback online rather than face to face or via paper. 

There’s obviously research involved which shows that students want to use technology. Perhaps using tablets, interactive whiteboards and phones is a way to make studying seem less serious and to enhance “edutainment” in the classroom. 

Maybe the point is that students, teachers, materials writers and course developers just want to make use of technology as often as possible. 

Students expect it

Students, especially young learners, adapt to using technology in the classroom very quickly. They know that there are games and activities for them to do. They can search for videos on YouTube or research information on Google in a flash. 

Students get used to routines and as such they’ll arrive in class waiting for a screen to be turned on and a presentation used or website visited. They’ll know what the technology can do and wonder why a teacher isn’t using it. 

As teachers I bet we’ve all seen students reaching for their phones to translate words rather than asking other students or their teachers. It’s a case of technology allowing students to quickly understand or do something. In a way a lot of these students are heavily reliant on technology at home and they bring that attitude to the classroom. 

Avoiding technology

Whilst technology is needed for a lot of my lessons I try to have periods of the class where it’s not used. If I’m not careful I can turn into a lecturer using screens rather than a teacher using different teaching methods. 

At the start of a class I’ll try and avoid using the computer for at least 15 minutes. I think it’s a good way to get students talking and interacting, especially if they don’t know each other. I’ll also try and make sure the last five minutes are technology-free too. 

A lot of teachers have multiple programs, websites and apps they use in class. I try to limit the number I use as I’ve seen teachers waste time flipping between them. A lot of these sites or apps do simple tasks like keeping scores which could be done a lot faster by hand on a standard whiteboard. 

Finding the sweet spot

In the end I think we’ve lost the battle against technology already. It’s a part of our lives which we take for granted and fighting against it is pretty futile. 

As teachers, there are plenty of benefits that technology brings. For example, I’m sure all teachers have a few words they struggle to spell. Interactive whiteboards auto-correct spellings which is a godsend! I’ll always remember the time a student corrected my spelling of “Inconvenience” which left me looking rather stupid, technology will ensure my bad spelling never affects students.  

They key area to focus on is the actual benefits of technology and what could be done better without it. I’ve put a few of my ideas below, feel free to add any of your own! 

BENEFITS:

- Using media to introduce new language.
- Allows the use of a range of audio sources for listening activities in class.
- Picking students at random for giving answers / games etc.
- Can help students with SEN

DRAWBACKS:

- Slide show style presentations to review material which don’t allow students to talk.
- Can be used to distract young learners when it comes to classroom management.
- Encourages repetitive styles of lessons using the same format. Students know what is likely to happen next.
- If there are technology issues (no internet, power cut) then you’re in trouble!

 If you enjoyed this blog, check out my website - Life in a New Country  

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